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Dropping the Axle Continued


31. First mark the drive shaft and flange locations before removing the bolts. We attempted to punch the location but failed do to the hardness of the pinion flange. So we used a metal marking pen.
 
32. Once marked, break loose and remove the 10mm drive shaft flange bolts.
     

33. Restrain the drive shaft while loosening the final bolt, once removed slowly lower the drive shaft out of the way.
 
34. We will now start removing the upper trailing arm from the axle.
This bolt can be difficult to remove due to the stresses it is under. Adjusting the jack height may be necessary to relieve the pressure from the bolt during removal.
     

35. Break the torque loose on the 21mm upper trailing arm bolt and remove the nut.


 
36. Once the nut is removed, pull the upper trailing arm down to relieve the stress on the bolt. Tap the bolt out using a hammer.
     

37. Once the bolt is removed, push the upper trailing arm up and out of the way.
 
38. Now we will break the torque off and remove the 18mm lower trailing arm bolts.
     

39. Once the flag nut has been removed, it may be necessary to raise or lower the jack under the rear differential to relieve the stress on the bolt. If necessary, use a hammer to tap the bolt out.
 
40. We will now grab hold and direct the rear axle as we slowly lower it from the vehicle. It will also be necessary to swing the axle to one side to remove the panhard rod from the lower panhard rod mount.
     

41. Once we lower the rear axle enough we will pull the rear springs out of the vehicle.

Note:
The lower halves of the springs are indicated with a tag. If this tag is missing you'll want to mark the bottom spring location for reassembly.
 
42. Once the rear springs have been removed, continue lowering the rear end from the vehicle. Guiding it down and making sure you're going to clear everything.
     

43. We will then compress and secure the shocks up and out of the way.
 
44. Now we secure the panhard rod up using wire to keep it out of the way as well.
     

45. With one person at each end of the axle, we will lift and slowly move the rear axle back while we watch to make sure the upper trailing arm mount isn't going to catch anything as we pull the rear axle from underneath the vehicle.
 
46. Rear axle removed from the vehicle.
     
     
Swapping the Gears

47. Place the rear axle securely on jackstands...
 
48. ...and begin removing the 13mm rear differential cover bolts.
     

49. Once the bolts have been removed we will use a large screw driver or pry bar against the differential housing to lightly pry the cover off.
 
50. Remove the cover and place aside.
     

51. We will now drain the oil from the differential.
 
52. Once the differential has drained, we will spray it down thoroughly with some parts cleaner.
     

53. Then we will let it drain for a little while. If any excess oil still remains spray again and repeat.
 
54. The differential is now clean enough for us to begin working on it.
     

55. Using a screw driver we will carefully remove the assembly clip from the discs. If you can remove them without damage they will help aid in reassembly.
 
56. If possbile, tilt the clip. You can generally get it on the threads to where they can be rotated off by hand.
     

57. Remove the discs, mark the sides, and place aside.
   
     

58. We will now break the torque off and remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
 
59. Remove the differential pinion shaft.
     

60. We will now push the axles inward slightly so we can remove the axle shaft U washer.
   

(Swapping the Gears Continued)

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